It was the best of times, it was the second-best of times.
The Douglas College Royals finished an incredible season with a run to the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association’s men’s basketball championship final, falling to the Seneca College Sting 86-73 two weeks ago.
Leading by three after one quarter and a single point at halftime, the New West-based Royals saw Seneca make its move with a strong third quarter, where the Toronto team outscored Douglas 30-22 to grab a seven-point advantage.
In the final quarter, the B.C. champions put it all on the line and pulled within two points, 71-69, before the Sting regained momentum for its first national title.
The Royals got 20 points and seven rebounds from Burnaby native Reese Morris, while Kameron Johnson counted 18 points. Both were named to the first all-star team.
Contributing eight points and 13 boards was second all-star team selection Noah DeRappard-Yuswack.
In the semifinal, Douglas dropped Montmerency 93-87, thanks to a huge third quarter where they outscored the Quebec champion 31-15.
Kameron Johnson led the Royals with 33 points, while Morris contributed 16.
They opened the eight-team tournament against Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, handing them a 80-76 loss. Grant Campbell drained 19 points, while Morris chipped in 17 and 12 rebounds.
